emirates7 - Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation (KSQF), the Foundation has launched its first international initiatives to safeguard over 30,000 vulnerable children from violence, exploitation, and displacement in Zanzibar and Mexico.
These milestone projects, implemented in collaboration with prominent global partners—Save the Children International in Tanzania and Plan International in Mexico—are designed to foster safer environments for children while strengthening local systems to ensure sustainable child protection.
The announcement represents a significant advancement in KSQF’s mission to establish integrated child protection frameworks in high-risk areas. The initiatives address a growing global concern over child abuse, neglect, trafficking, and hazardous labour—issues highlighted in reports by UNICEF and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which reveal that one in five children aged 5 to 17 in low-income countries is involved in dangerous or forced labour, and that child trafficking cases have risen by 31% globally in recent years.
H.H. Sheikha Jawaher emphasised that the Foundation’s efforts are rooted in the belief that protecting children and nurturing them in safe, inspiring, and supportive environments is both a fundamental human right and a vital investment in the future of societies.
She stressed the urgency of the global child protection crisis, asserting that every life saved contributes to the well-being of entire communities. She noted that the Foundation, launched in 2024, was created as a global platform for addressing child protection challenges wherever they arise, based on principles of inclusivity, prevention, victim support, partnership, and legal advocacy—mirroring Sharjah’s and the UAE’s humanitarian values.
Sheikha Jawaher stated, “Children are a shared human concern that transcends national, cultural, and religious boundaries. No matter how different we are, we are united in our commitment to ensuring every child’s right to live without fear, harm, or deprivation. This is why our projects are built on collaboration, long-term impact, and community transformation, aiming not for quick fixes but for lasting solutions.”
In Zanzibar, where Gender-Based Violence (GBV) poses a significant threat—particularly to girls—KSQF is working with Save the Children to expand support services at two One Stop Centres at Jitimai Hospital (Unguja) and Abdalla Mzee Hospital (Pemba). The project, titled “Expanding Support Services for Survivors of Violence,” will deliver medical, psychological, and legal assistance to at least 1,000 survivors, while reaching an additional 10,000 individuals through awareness and community outreach efforts.
The initiative was inspired by Sheikha Jawaher’s recent visit to the centres, which highlighted the pressing need to upgrade local protection infrastructure. Over the course of a year, the programme will enhance GBV response mechanisms, disrupt patterns of abuse, and support survivors in reclaiming their lives within safer, more resilient communities.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, the “Guardians of Children” project—implemented by KSQF and Plan International—is active in Tapachula, Mexico City, and Ciudad Juárez. The initiative will directly support 7,000 migrant children and adolescents, while an additional 15,000 people will benefit indirectly through community programmes and awareness campaigns.
The project integrates child-friendly safe spaces, mobile health services, psychological first aid, and family-based support—both emotional and financial. It also trains local residents to become advocates and protectors of children’s rights, helping to raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation.
Together, these efforts mark a strategic and compassionate response to the global child protection crisis, with KSQF positioning itself as a key player in building safer futures for at-risk children around the world.
These milestone projects, implemented in collaboration with prominent global partners—Save the Children International in Tanzania and Plan International in Mexico—are designed to foster safer environments for children while strengthening local systems to ensure sustainable child protection.
The announcement represents a significant advancement in KSQF’s mission to establish integrated child protection frameworks in high-risk areas. The initiatives address a growing global concern over child abuse, neglect, trafficking, and hazardous labour—issues highlighted in reports by UNICEF and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which reveal that one in five children aged 5 to 17 in low-income countries is involved in dangerous or forced labour, and that child trafficking cases have risen by 31% globally in recent years.
H.H. Sheikha Jawaher emphasised that the Foundation’s efforts are rooted in the belief that protecting children and nurturing them in safe, inspiring, and supportive environments is both a fundamental human right and a vital investment in the future of societies.
She stressed the urgency of the global child protection crisis, asserting that every life saved contributes to the well-being of entire communities. She noted that the Foundation, launched in 2024, was created as a global platform for addressing child protection challenges wherever they arise, based on principles of inclusivity, prevention, victim support, partnership, and legal advocacy—mirroring Sharjah’s and the UAE’s humanitarian values.
Sheikha Jawaher stated, “Children are a shared human concern that transcends national, cultural, and religious boundaries. No matter how different we are, we are united in our commitment to ensuring every child’s right to live without fear, harm, or deprivation. This is why our projects are built on collaboration, long-term impact, and community transformation, aiming not for quick fixes but for lasting solutions.”
In Zanzibar, where Gender-Based Violence (GBV) poses a significant threat—particularly to girls—KSQF is working with Save the Children to expand support services at two One Stop Centres at Jitimai Hospital (Unguja) and Abdalla Mzee Hospital (Pemba). The project, titled “Expanding Support Services for Survivors of Violence,” will deliver medical, psychological, and legal assistance to at least 1,000 survivors, while reaching an additional 10,000 individuals through awareness and community outreach efforts.
The initiative was inspired by Sheikha Jawaher’s recent visit to the centres, which highlighted the pressing need to upgrade local protection infrastructure. Over the course of a year, the programme will enhance GBV response mechanisms, disrupt patterns of abuse, and support survivors in reclaiming their lives within safer, more resilient communities.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, the “Guardians of Children” project—implemented by KSQF and Plan International—is active in Tapachula, Mexico City, and Ciudad Juárez. The initiative will directly support 7,000 migrant children and adolescents, while an additional 15,000 people will benefit indirectly through community programmes and awareness campaigns.
The project integrates child-friendly safe spaces, mobile health services, psychological first aid, and family-based support—both emotional and financial. It also trains local residents to become advocates and protectors of children’s rights, helping to raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation.
Together, these efforts mark a strategic and compassionate response to the global child protection crisis, with KSQF positioning itself as a key player in building safer futures for at-risk children around the world.